In previous months, we have already explored a large part of the geschützte Schönheit (protected beauty) of German nature. We went to the windige Küsten (windy shores) of the Wattenmeer, the eindrucksvolle Felsen (impressive rocks) of the Sächsische Schweiz, the Jahrhunderte alten Wälder (centuries old forests) of theBayerischer Wald, the Erzminen (ore mines) in the Harz, the Tiger (tigers) roaming around in the Eifel, the Tausend Seen (thousand lakes) of Müritz, the hohe Gebirge (high mountain ranges) of Berchtesgaden, and the atemberaubende Natur (stunning nature) of the Schwarzwald. Lastly, we discovered the bedrohten Kreidefelsen (threatened chalk cliffs) of Jasmund.

It is time for another central park, just south from the Harz: the small Nationalpark Hainich.

The National Parks in Germany (Image by Lencer at Commons.wikimedia.org under license CC BY SA 3.0)

Established on December 31, 1997, Nationalpark Hainich is the thirteenth park in Germany, and the only one in Bundesland Thüringen (Federal State Thuringa). The primary reason the park was established is its Buchenurwald (primeval beech forest). In its short existence, it has helped to raise awareness of the region Hainich, and it attracts a lot more tourists now. It is a huge piece of nature in the middle of Germany, and is one of the two German National Parks that has a Baumkronenpfad (canopy walkway). A lot of people like that!

Whoever always wanted to get higher up in life, should look no further (lit.: is exactly right here): on the canopy walkway in National Park Hainich, in the middle of the primeval forest. The National Park with the largest connected deciduous forest area of Germany is an example for how Flora and Fauna can develop if humans (lit.: the human) does not interfere silviculturally. “Let nature be nature” is the motto.

In airy heights, unique insights and views are guaranteed for nature lovers.

Forty-four (44) meter (ca. 120 ft) above the treetops looms the tree tower with a tree house. From the Hiking parking site Thiemsburg it is only ten (10) minutes by foot for all who want to observe the forest, the most diverse biosphere of the Earth, and the treetops from above.

What is special about the Nationalpark Hainich?

Das Laubwaldgebiet

The National Park is located in the south of the Hainich, the largest connected deciduous forest area of Germany. Such primeval forests are not common anymore at all, because humans started cultivating land and building cities, and so the forests had to go out of the way.

Der Buchenwald

Buchenwald in the Nationalpark Hainich (Image by Huhu19 at Commons.wikimedia.org under license CC BY SA 3.0)

Nationalpark Hainich serves primarily to protect its Buchenwald (beech forest). Its forest is also under a UNESCO Weltnaturerbe (World Heritage – Natural Site), in fact, the same one as the Buchenwald in Nationalpark Jasmund, which we discussed last time. These old beech forests are extremely rare nowadays, and the Nationalparks allow them to develop again in the way they did thousands of years ago.

Der Baumwipfelpfad

The Baumturm of the Baumkronenpfad. (Image by Michael Panse at Flickr.com under license CC BY ND 2.0)

Much like the Baumwipfelpfad(canopy walkway) with the amazing egg-shaped Baumturm (tree tower) in the Bayerischer Wald, which we have explored some weeks ago, Nationalpark Hainich also has a similar walkway. However, this one is not as long: it is only 500 m (1500 ft). Also, it is called the Baumkronenpfad, which is the same thing, but shows some geographical linguistic preferences they have in Thüringen compared to Bayern (Bavaria).

Nationalpark Hainich is a small park: klein aber fein (small but great), and offers a great way to just escape nature for some time. Would you like to visit?

If you are not convinced yet, I want to leave you with the following video: